The Pencil Test

[Wild Rice.fz1ownersassoci...]

This is a test of the firing pin mechanism.  Put on safety glasses.  Remove the magazine and pull back the slide to confirm that the chamber is empty (including snap caps), put a new unsharpened pencil in the muzzle (eraser end first) so that the eraser rests on the breech face (where the firing pin hole is located).  Point the gun muzzle up at the ceiling (and away from your face!) and pull the trigger.  This tests center fire pistol ignition.

Caution: do perform this with a loaded gun, sharpened pencil, or near your face.

My 1911 45's will launch the pencil 3 feet up into the air.  As will my Browning Hi Power, Ruger P94DC, and Springfield XD.

My CZ75 P01, S&W 38 snub nose, and HK P7M8 will make the pencil jump, but not quite far enough to clear the muzzle.  All three of these guns have reliable ignition and adequate primer indentation.  I think it means that these three guns have adequate firing pin force, but limited firing pin excursion.

I do this to test used guns to make sure the firing mechanism is functional.  It is also a good test for a reassembled gun to make sure all the safety mechanisms and firing pin blocks allow the firing pin to move when the trigger is pulled.  Failure could mean a broken firing pin, jammed firing pin, jammed firing pin block, inadequate main spring, or missing/broken internal parts.

I wish the P01 performed a little better at this test.  I think it is because of the firing pin excursion being limited by the roll pin(s).  I would not want to install a weaker main spring on this pistol.

[Radom]

The firing pin spring may be slightly weaker than nominal specifications, but I wonder. My P-01 was the first CZ I have owned that did not seem to have weak springs. (I have no way to effectively measure the spring weight.) In fact, it is the only CZ I have owned that didn't get resprung more or less out of the box.

When you compare a Type A CZ 75 firing pin system to a B model, it is apparent that the roll pin does in fact limit the firing pin excursion. My Type A passes the firing pin test with its replacement Wolff spring. The original firing pin springs are also over twice as long as the Type B firing pin springs.

[Kevin Quinlan]

That is why I ALWAYS bring a pencil to gun shows. Get some strange looks, but that is better than buying a pistil with problems.

[armoredman]

Hmmm, my PO1 launches the thing across the room.

[Walt-Sherrill]

Hmmm, my PO1 launches the thing across the room.

And, as a consequence, your test becomes pointless.

(Well, at least the pencil does...)

[TheCitizen82]

Great suggestion. After the firing pin on my RAMI broke I've been preoccupied with this particular issue. I've been taking small circular stickers and popping them on the end of my snap-caps to check the firing pin from time to time, but yours would be a far less tedious exercise. Thanks for the heads up.

[armoredman]

Walt, ouch, groan.

[Radom]

Anything's better than getting hit by a 1911 spring plug, full force.

Anywho, you do have to keep an eye on CZ springs. They are better now, but the older pistols often had weak springs. This makes the DA pull pretty nice on some of the Pre-Bs. I often wonder how much the firing pin block system is getting the "blame" for stronger springs.

[Radom]

Hmmm, my PO1 launches the thing across the room.  
 
  And, as a consequence, your test becomes pointless.  
 
  (Well, at least the pencil does...)

 

I actually had to read that a few times before I even got the joke.  This lack of sleep thing just isn't working out for me...

[armoredman]

Coffee is your friend...

[Denalipark]

At the risk of impugning my IQ, are you sure you've placed your pencil's eraser completely over the firing pin? I've done this so many times with my Glocks that I've actually begun using those jumbo pencil's from target, and the differnce can be dramatic, like shooting it half way across the room.......

[Walt-Sherrill]

Its easier with a 9mm than a .40 or .45.  <grin>

[Kevin Quinlan]

Its easier with a 9mm than a .40 or .45. <grin>

 

Not as much muzzle rise?

[William Chase]

Hmm.... this isn't the "pencil test" I recall from management school.

Bill

[Walt-Sherrill]

The idea of pushing lead down the barrel takes on a whole new meaning...